Article transfer mechanism



July 24, 1951 J. A. sTAKE ARTICL TRANSFER MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet lFiled March 19, 1946 INVENTOR ATTORNEY- July 24, 1951 J. A. STAKEARTICLE TRANSFER MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 19, 1946 mvENToRATTORN EY July 24, 1951 .lf A. sTAKE ARTICLE TRANSFER MECHANISM 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 19, 1946 Mill ll IIH r/OA/L rno 5127466 1 7ATTORNE Patented July 24, 1951 2,561,541 ARTKCLE TRANSFER MECHANISM JohnArno Stake, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The Quaker @ats Company, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 19, 1946, Serial No.655,383

Z Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for shaping and formingcartons from folded blanks. Cartons which are formed on the machineshown herein are intended for packaging all types of merchandise. Thesecartons are received from the carton manufacturer as flat, folded blankswith the flaps at each end of the carton in extended position. Thecarton blank is squaredup and the flaps at one end folded in positionand sealed.

For the operations just described it has been the practice to employ anendless conveyor known as a carton forming conveyor to which formingblocks which ilt the inside of the cartons are attached in uprightvertical position. Operators are located at the side of the conveyor andtheir duties are to square up the individual blanks and place them overthe forming blocks as they move past the operators. The open and squaredcarton blanks are tted by the operators over the blocks in a positionwhere the folding lines at the bases of the flaps coincide with theupper edge of the block. The continued movement of the conveyor carriesthe blocks in succession through sealing and folding devices which applyadhesive to the extending flaps and then fold the naps overl and ontothe top of the blocks and press the flaps into sealed position. Theblocks are provided with axial passages and at a further point in theirtravel these passages register with an. air jet which blows the cartonsoff the blocks and into a discharge chute.

The above description of the general and customary practise is necessaryin order to explain the present invention for, so far as the sealing andejection of the finished carton is concerned, the present machineutilizes the old mechanisms.

The object of the present invention is to dispense with al1 of themanual labor in squaring up the carton blanks and placing them over theblocks on the conveyor. The invention shown herein, modies the oldcarton forming and seal- .ing conveyor so that it may becombined andcoordinated with a second conveyor which delivers squared-up cartons andfrom which the cartons are transferred to the blocks.

It is also old in the art to have conveyors associated with mechanismswhich square-up the carton blanks, and the invention employs such a`conveyor as one of the elements ofthe complete machine. So far` asknown, no one has ever combined a conveyor forsquared-up cartorr blankswith a second conveyor for foldingand; sealing the ends of the squaredcarton. By this.` combination, the operation of squaring up the blanks,and closing and sealing the iiaps on one end may be carried on withoutthe interposition of any manual labor.

Itxwill be understood that so far as the mechanism for folding andsealing the projecting naps over the top of the blocks, the machine isold and well known in the art. Also, so far as the operation of squaringup a carton is concerned, again the mechanism is old and Well known inthe art. In the drawings` and specification these two devices are notfullyv shown as they form no part of the present invention and only suchparts of both of these old devices are .shown which will enable theinvention to be understood.

The present invention consists in arranging a conveyor for* thesquared-up cartons in close operative relation to a second conveyorwhich carries the forming blocks. The two conveyors are run insynchronism so that each opened carton Von the first conveyor comes intoexact alignment with a forming block on the second conveyor and thecarton and the block move in parallel paths and at the same speed for adistance sufcient to enable the carton to be transferred on to theblock. For this purpose the several blocks are not rigidly supported onthe block conveyor as in the old practice, but are hinged thereto, andalongside the block conveyor are arranged devices which tilt the blockfrom its vertical position to a horizontal position which it vmain--tains during the period when it is receiving the open carton. After thecarton is moved on to the block to the desired point, the block israised to its vertical position which it maintains through the foldingand sealing operations. When the carton is ejected the block is againtilted downwardly to receive `a new carton.

In order to complete the automatic operation it is necessary toincorporate in the mechanism a device for shunting the horizontalsquared-up carton from its position on the carton conveyor totelescoping relation with its block while the latter is in horizontalposition. It is conceivable that several diiferent devices might beemployed to effect the transfer in exact timed rela-` tion as isrequired. One type of mechanism is shown and` described herein whichengages the outer forward corner of the carton and moves in a diagonalpath across the carton conveyor and toward the block conveyor, keepingpace with the forward movement of the conveyors.

The foregoing is designed to give a brief rsum of the invention. Thedetailed descrip# tion of the preferred mechanism which will follow isnot intended to limit the invention to that particular mechanism butmerely to illustrate an operative device which embodies the invention.

Therefore, changes, modifications and improve-- f ments may be made inactual practice which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

The advantages of the present invention lie mainly in the elimination ofthe labor costs involved in the operation of squaring the folded blanksand placing them over the forming blocks.

AIn addition it is possible to operate the forming conveyor at a greaterspeed than was practicable with the manual placement of the cartons.

In the drawings in which the best known and preferred form of theinvention is shown:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the mechanism. This View, for the reasonsstated shows only that portion of the block conveyor which is necessaryfor an understanding of the invention. It also shows only that portionof a standard carton forming conveyor which is necessary for the presentpurposes;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an end view looking from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken at the point where a carton is justpassing on to its forming block. The location of this view is shown bythe section line 4 4 Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the block;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1 showing one of the cartonmoving shoes; and

Fig. '7 is a view looking at the under side of the shoe.

Numeral I indicates the bed of the block conveying machine which isprovided with the channel 2 in which the chain block conveyor 3 moves inan endless horizontal path. The motive power for operating the entiremechanism is derived from a motor 4 which through the belt 5 actuatesthe train of reducing gearing 6, I and 8 shown in Fig. 2. The gear 8 ismounted on the shaft 9 which is the main power shaft for the entiremachine. From this shaft appropriate connections (not shown) drive theconveyor 3. The motive power for the carton conveyor is also deriveddirectly from the shaft so that both conveyors are run continuously andin synchronism.

The carton forming blocks are indicated at I0. A large number of theseblocks are attached at closely and regularly spaced intervals to thechain 3. During the entire cycle of operation except at the regionillustrated in the drawings these blocks are erect so that the openflaps on the upper end of the carton may be folded and sealed in place.Instead of being mounted directly on the conveyor chain as in the formerpractice, each block IU is carried on a bracket II which is secured tothe chain. The bracket projects laterally of the chain and its outer endis provided with two lugs I3 through which is passed the pivot pin I2.An arm I4 is attached to the front face of the block near its lower endand extends between the lugs I3 where it receives the pivot I2. On theouter end of the arm I4 is located the vertical pin I6 on the upper endof which is mounted the roller I8. At the rear of the blocks oppositethe arm I4 is a short horizontal pin 20 on the outer end of which is theroller 2l. At the base of the blocks are located two ribs 22 to whichare attached wings 23. These devices, which are shown in Fig. 5, receivethe side iiaps of the carton and act as stops for the carton. They areomitted from the other views for the sake of clearness. The center ofthe block is provided with a through passage 24 which registers with theair jet when the block reaches the ejection point for the completedcarton.

Carried on the bed I by appropriately located brackets 28 is a rearguide rail 30. The roller 2| rides over the surface of this rail. Theblock to the left of Fig. 1 has just been stripped of its finishedcarton and at this point the rail 3l) is deiiected upwardly andforwardly so that the block is tilted forwardly about the pivot I2 untilits center of gravity lpasses over the pivot. The deflected area of therail which causes the block to move about its pivot is indicated by thenumeral 33a. At the central portion is a relatively long horizontalreach i()b which acts to hold the block in its horizontal position asshown in Fig. 4 while the carton C is being telescopcd on to the block.After the carton has been fully seated the rail 3E! has a downwardly andrearwardly inclined p0rtion 30c which permits the block to reassume itsvertical position. The rail terminates in a horizontal reach 30d. Iffound advisable, an overhanging plate 3l may be located at the terminusof the rail 30 under which the roller 2l will run. This may be extendedthroughout the balance of the travel of the conveyor 3, to insureagainst any forward tipping of the block while the succeeding operationsare performed thereon.

Attached to the front edge of the bed I by appropriately locatedbrackets 33 is a second guide rail 32 which serves as a track for theroller I8 and thus acts as a support for the block when it is out ofvertical and to elevate the block at the end of the operation. For thispurpose the rail 32 has a downwardly and forwardly inclined reach 32a.As the block is tilted forwardly the roller I8 strikes the reach 32*1which lowers the block to its horizontal position in which it ismaintained by the horizontal reach 32h. After the block is supplied withthe carton the rail is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly inclinedreach 32 parallel to the reach 3W which moves the block to an angle atwhich the center of gravity again passes over the pivot and the blockrights itself. It will be noted that during the period when the block ishorizontal it is rigidly held in that position by the two rails 30 and32. The rails 30 and 32 constitute cam means operative during a portionof the cycle of the conveyor to tilt the blocks into and hold them inhorizontal position.

The conveyor for the open and squared-up cartons C comprises a pair ofchains 4i) which are mounted-upon horizontal shafts, one of which isshown at 4I, in a framework indicated as a Whole by the numeral 42.These chains carry spaced pairs of ngers 44 which act as pushers for thesquared-up cartons. Beyond the left hand end of Fig. 2 is located anystandard type of magazine for the flat cartons with which Js associatedany well known type of carton opening and feeding device. As theseinstrumentalities are known in the art and form no part of the present'linvention they are not illustrated. For the purposes of the ypresentinvention and the description thereof, all that is required is that thecartons are in squared-up condition on the conveyor 4) with the flapswhich project toward the conveyor 3 in open condition. The flaps on theother end of the carton are preferably closed during their progressionalong the conveyor 40. Devices for this purpose are also known and areindicated by the cam rails 45. Rails 46 are located above the chains 40to keep the cartons in position on the conveyor.

The several pairs of fingers 44 are spaced upon the conveyor chains 40at distances equal to the spacing between the centers of the blocks I0and are located so that as the conveyors 3 and 40 move in the directionof the arrows in Fig. 1 the open ends of the cartons will come intoexact registry with the blocks I 0 so that as the cartons are shuntedfrom the conveyor 40 they will telescope over the blocks.

The means adopted for driving the conveyors 3 5. and"V 40- in theprecise synchronism required is shown in Fig. 2. A sprocket 48 ismounted on the main power shaft 9 and over this sprocket is the chain 49which engages a second sprocket 50 on the shaft The shaft 5| is mountedin bearings 52 on the frame 42 and in a supplemental bearing 53-securedon the lower end of a hanger 54 depending from the bed On: the shaft 5|is located the gear 55 vwhich through an intermediate gear 56 drives thegear 5'|'on the shaft 4|. These power connections serve the purpose ofsynchronous propulsion of the two main conveyors, but the arrangement isoptional and may be designed in any practicable fashion.

As it is also'essential that the carton squaring andfeeding devices bedriven in like synchronism, direct driving connections are provided forthese instrumentalities from the conveyor 3. For this purpose the gear55 meshes with a gear 60 on a countershaft in the frame 42 and thisshaft drives the pair `of meshing bevel gears 8| and 62, the latterbeing mounted on the horizontal shaft 6-3 which extends to the left ofFig. 2 and drives the carton feeding and squaring devices referred to.

A means for shifting the open cartons from the conveyor 40 to the blockslil while the latter are in horizontal position and in registry with thecartons will now be described. The action must take place progressivelyas the two main conveyors are moving in parallelism. The mechansmdescribed is one form of device which may be adapted to this operation,but it will be understood that the present invention is not directed tothe details thereof which are set forth, as any form of shuntingmechanism may be employed, provided it moves the cartons laterally fromthe carton conveyor into telescoping relation with the blocks which arepresented in horizontal position.

The carton shunting or shifting means comprises a third belt or chainwhich is located over the carton conveyor and moves in a diagonal pathacross the carton conveyor and toward the block conveyor. The belt orchain is provided with means to contact the outer forward edge or cornerof the carton and by the joint progression of the carton conveyor andthe shunting conveyor, the carton leaves the carton conveyor and movesonto the block which is in position to receive it.

Referring to the details of the particular shunting mechanism which isillustrated as exemplary of devices for this purpose:

Located in a plate 82 (to be described) adjacent the point where thecarton is discharged is the vertical shaft 10. On the corner of theframe is a vertical bracket to the upper end of which is attached theplate 'l2 in which is located the stub shaft 13. Midway of the frontedge of the frame is a pedestal 14 in which is located a third verticalshaft 15. The shafts 10, 13 and l5 constitute the three corners of atriangular shunting device.

In the form shown this is an endless sprocket chain '|1 which is trainedover the sprockets '18, 19 and 80 on the several shafts respectively.The reaches 11a and 1lb are idle reaches but the reach 'llc of the chainwhich extends diagonally over the carton conveyor performs the shiftingofthe cartons.

The plate 82 referred to above forms the bearing for the shafts and 'l5and extends in a diagonal line along the reach 11C. To the outer edge ofthis plate is attached the angular guide rail Cil 83; Along the top ofthe plate 82 are fixed at spaced intervals the brackets 84, 84 and 84the outer ends of which are bent downwardly and support a second guiderail 85. The rails 183 and 85 constitute a channel for confining thechain along its working reach. The plate 82 is secured at its outer endby an angular bridge piece 8E attached to the frame 42 by its verticalweb.

The chain 11 is driven in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 insynchronism with the conveyors 3 and 40 by means of a bevel pinion 88 onthe end of the shaft 4| and meshing with the bevel pinion 89 on a stubshaft located on the undersideof a bracket 90 secured to the front edgeof the frame 42. Fixed on the pinion 89 is a spur gear 92 which mesheswith a second spur gear 93 on the lower end of a vertical shaft 94mounted in a bracket 95 attached to the front edge of the frame 42. The

upper end of shaft 94 carries a sprocket 98 and the shaft l0 carries acompanion sprocket 99. Over these sprockets is trained the drive chain|00 through which the shunting chain 'Il is driven. A chain tighteningsprocket |0| is carried by the bridge 8.6.

At intervals` along the chain 'l1 are the pushers or shoes which engagethe forward outer corners of the cartons C and shunt them from theconveyor 40 to the blocks. These shoes are located on the chain at therequisite intervals so that as each shoe enters the guide `channel 83,85 it will meet and fit against the corner ofthe carton. Five of theseshoes are shown attached to the chain 1l'. The construction of the shoeand its supporting means is shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

Certain of the pintles of the chain 11 are replaced by elongatedrotatable pins |05 which extend through blocks |06 xed to the under sideof the chain. To the lower end of each pin |05 is attached a bracket |08having a laterally extending arm |00 from which depends the shoe orpusher I0. This shoe is in the form of the letter L and the corner ofthe box nests within the angle formed thereby in the manner indicated inFig. 6.

In order to insure that the shoe will t the ocrner of the carton it ispermitted to have a partial freedom of pivotal movement and this isprovided for by cutting away one side of the bracket |08 forming the twoshoulders lli. A pin ||2 depending from the block |06 is located betweenthe shoulders and constitutes a stop for limiting the oscillation of theshoe about its cent-er. This allows the shoe to adjust itself to thecarton corner.

To keep the carton in contact with the shoe during its sliding movementacross the conveyor 40 a guiding plate l5 is attached to the extendedend of the bracket 84 and to a supplementary bracket i6 secured to thetop of the plate 82 and is arranged to wipe over the upper side of thecarton. A shelf I8 is attached to the rear edge of the frame 42 andguides the front end of the carton during its transfer.

Operation As the blocks successively pass the point where the finishedcartons are blown off the blocks, the rails 30 acting through therollers 2| tilt the blocks forwardly and they are lowered intohorizontal position by the rails 32. While moving in the horizontalposition the blocks register with the open cartons which are being movedby the conveyor 40 continuously and in the same direction. At this pointeach carton is engaged at the corner thereof by a shoe l0 which shuntsit laterally on" tne conveyor 40 and into telescoping relation over theadjacent block. After the blocks are successively supplied with cartonsthey reach the rising portion of the rail 32 which restores them toerect position in which they are carried through the remainder of theircycle by the continuous progression of the conveyor 3. This, as Wasstated, consists in the performance of the operations of gluing theflaps and pressing them together against the top ends of the blocks.

It will be seen that the placing of the open cartons on the cartonforming conveyor 3 is wholly automatic and While the mechanism shown isthe preferred type Athe objects of the invention may likewise beachieved with modications which do not avoid the elemental features ofthe invention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a carton forming machine a continuouslyl moving endless conveyor,a plurality of carton forming blocks on said conveyor, a, secondconveyor adjacent and parallel to the rst conveyor said second conveyorhaving a plurality of holders for squared-up cartons, means for drivingsaid conveyors in synchronism, and a belt moving across the secondconveyor in a diagonal path approaching the first conveyor, means on thebelt to engage a corner of each cartonsuccessively and slide the cartonfrom the conveyor on to a block, and a device to hold each block inaxial alignment with a carton while the last named means is operating.

2. In a carton forming machine, a continuously moving endless conveyor,a plurality of carton 8 forming blocks hingedly mounted on said conveyorat regular spaced intervals, means for tilt-f ing said blockssuccessively into horizontal position during one part of their cycle, asecond continuously moving conveyor adjacent the rst conveyor at thepoint Where the blocks are in horizontal position, means on the secondconveyor for holding squared-up cartons in register with the blocks, anda device extending diagonally across the second conveyor and havingmeans to engage a corner of each carton to shunt the carton from thesecondconveyor into telescoping relation over a block. x

JOHN ARNO STAKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the le of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,095,537 Weis et al. May 5, 19141,264,843 Norton Apr. 30, 1918 1,984,981 Nei Dec. 18,-1934 2,335,239Glaclfelter et al. Nov. 30, 1943 2,347,057 Lokso Apr. 18, 1944 2,355,597Pond Aug. 8, 1944 2,408,019 Goebel et al Sept. 24, 1946 2,441,323Klamrnt et al May l1, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 318,723Germany Feb. 9, 1920

